In 1939, perhaps inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawings of batwings or by the detectivesque tradition of pulp heroes, writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane created a unique adventurer: Batman, a dark hero, a man that would reclaim his role as a creature of the night as well as the scorn of Gotham’s underworld.

Greg Capullo

Today, I invite you all to make a toast in honor of Finger and Kane’s immortal creation. For today, of all days, Batman celebrates his 75th anniversary. It’s hard to believe that 75 years ago, in the pages of Detective Comics # 27 (vol. I), Bruce Wayne would don the mantle of the bat, forever changing the landscape of a still incipient superhero industry. Detective Comics # 27 (vol. II), published in January 2014, is a very special edition that commemorates a character famous in all the world, a hero that is still as fascinating in our time as he was in the inaugural years of WWII. The first story is “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”, written by the talented Brad Meltzer and illustrated by the renowned Bryan Hitch. As many of you might remember, “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate” was the first Batman story every published, and it appeared in Detective Comics # 27 (1939); and throughout the decades, many writers and artists have paid homage to it. In Detective Comics # 387 (1969), DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz asked Mike Friedrich, Bob Brown & Joe Giella to do a remake of Batman’s classic first adventure (and they included a very young Robin, still wearing his original costume; curiously, back then his main ability consisted in persuading Batman to listen to Janis Joplin records). In subsequent years, it became a bit of a tradition to retell “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”, thanks to editor Denny O'Neil, Marv Wolfman & Jim Aparo did it, and so did Alan Grant & Norm Breyfogle in Detective Comics # 627 (1991).

Bryan Hitch

Having read them all, I can affirm that Brad Meltzer’s version is the most faithful to the original. But Meltzer does something else. He delves into Batman’s mind. And he shares his motivations with us. Why does he do it? Why does he fight crime? He has a dozen of reasons, and as the story unfolds, we understand each one of those reasons. Meltzer’s voice as a writer is unmistakable, and it can be heard quite clearly even in a story that follows so closely the initial episode of 1939. He even respects the panel count (although he turns certain panels into splash pages), as he explains in the afterword, “sometimes history needs to be changed, sometimes it’s perfect as it is”. Meltzer’s respect and admiration for the Dark Knight are undeniable.“Old School”, written by Gregg Hurwitz and illustrated by the legendary Neal Adams, is a delightful meta-fictional satire, that combines the naiveté and campiness of the 60s with the innocence of golden age comic books, while at the same time winking back at us, the readers. I had no idea Hurwitz had such a great sense of humor. And Adams is the perfect artist for this tale. I especially love the last page in which we find Batman in a comic book shop, holding an issue of Detective Comics # 27.

Neal Adams

Peter J. Tomasi writes a very nostalgic story in “Better Days”, beautifully illustrated by Ian Bertram. Bruce Wayne is an old man, ready to blow the 75 candles of his birthday cake. Time hasn’t treated him kindly, we can see him walking with a cane; his varicose legs, his countless scars and his white hair have not deprived him, however, of his inherent nobility. Although in a wheelchair and with an oxygen mask, Alfred is still there, ever the faithful butler. Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) and Dick Grayson (Nightwing) are approaching the age of retirement; even Tim Drake (Robin) and Damian Wayne are no longer underage sidekicks but rather old men. In this amazingly heartwarming chronicle, Bruce Wayne decides to go out one more time. To be Batman one final night while he still can... emotive and touching, this is the kind of story that you will never forget. I loved it.The authors of “The Sacrifice” are Mike W. Barr & Guillem March; Barr answers a question that most comic book readers must have asked at some point. What would have happened if Bruce Wayne’s parents didn’t get killed? How would a child’s life change if he didn’t have to witness the murder of his father and mother? The writer manages to transmit Bruce Wayne’s despair in only a few pages; at the end, his sacrifice becomes an example of heroism but that doesn’t make it any less sad. “Gothtopia” is a fascinating journey through a utopic Gotham City: a bright metropolis, a place where crime has been completely eradicated, where unemployment is a thing of the past and where everyone can enjoy the perfect life. But is it so perfect? Batman suspects it isn’t. And despise the city’s good fortune, hundreds of citizens are committing suicide. Something is happening, and Batman will have to trust in his instinct and his deductive skills to uncover the truth. John Layman’s narrative is quite impressive and the art by Jason Fabok is absolutely stunning. Fabok’s highly detailed pages, harmonic designs and precise inks are a joy to behold. With a style slightly similar to Phil Jimenez, Fabok confirms himself as one of the best artists working for the big two. Wonderful stuff.

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About the Author - Arion

Arion, who is either from Chile or New York (it’s not really clear) writes a blog that the Outhouse steals on a regular basis. Arion is by far the nicest of all the staff writers and the most well behaved only having been banned from one country. One thing we really appreciate about Aroin is that he writes his reviews in English and Spanish and we hope someday he’ll translate this blurb for us. We’re not so good at languages, just look at how well we write in English if you need proof. You should bookmark Arion’s blog - http://artbyarion.blogspot.com – and actually look at it. There will be a quiz at the end of every month.